From Tradition to Innovation: Pinellia ternata Extracts Stabilized Selenium Nanoparticles for Enhanced Bioactivity

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) are widely used for their effective antioxidative, anti-tumor, and antibacterial properties with minimal toxicity. Developing eco-friendly and simple synthesis methods for SeNPs with improved bioactivity, biocompatibility, and stability is crucial. This study synthesized bioactive SeNPs using extracts from the traditional Chinese medicine Pinellia ternata as a stabilizing agent. SeNPs were characterized to have an amorphous structure, spherical shape, uniform dispersion, and an average diameter of 54.6 nm. They had a surface charge of - 28.2 mV, enhancing stability through interactions with compounds in Pinellia ternata extracts. The synthesized SeNPs demonstrated strong antioxidant and antibacterial properties in vitro, outperforming Na₂SeO₃ and Pinellia ternata extracts. Specifically, SeNPs showed bacteriostatic activity against Escherichia coli (E. coli) at 120, 240, and 480 µg/mL, with a lasting effect at 480 µg/mL after 23 h. Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) was more sensitive, with significant antimicrobial and bactericidal effects at 15, 30, and 60 µg/mL, achieving complete inhibition at 60 µg/mL after 20 h. In zebrafish exposure experiments, SeNPs at low (0.2 mg/L) and medium (0.5 mg/L) concentrations enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities in the liver without inducing significant acute toxicity, whereas high concentrations (1 mg/L) resulted in oxidative damage to the liver and gills. This study introduces a novel method for synthesizing a stable SeNP-herbal medicine extracts composite with outstanding biological activity and biosafety, potentially expanding the applications of herbal medicine beyond traditional antioxidant and antimicrobial treatments.